Artist Jim Keefe, who was the writer and artist of the "Flash Gordon" comic strip for King Features Syndicate from 1996 to 2003, created this image celebrating the many artists who over the years have brought ... more

Brian Walker points out artwork and memorabilia as it is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend of September 22. less

Brian Walker points out artwork and memorabilia as it is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. ... more

Brian Walker points out artwork and memorabilia as it is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend of September 22. less

Brian Walker points out artwork and memorabilia as it is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. ... more

Artwork and memorabilia is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend of September 22. less

Artwork and memorabilia is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend ... more

Artwork and memorabilia is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend of September 22. less

Artwork and memorabilia is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend ... more

Artwork and memorabilia is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend of September 22. less

Artwork and memorabilia is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend ... more

Brian Walker points out artwork and memorabilia as it is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend of September 22. less

Brian Walker points out artwork and memorabilia as it is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. ... more

Brian Walker points out artwork and memorabilia as it is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend of September 22. less

Brian Walker points out artwork and memorabilia as it is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. ... more

Brian Walker points out artwork and memorabilia as it is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend of September 22. less

Brian Walker points out artwork and memorabilia as it is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. ... more

Artwork and memorabilia is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend of September 22. less

Artwork and memorabilia is set up for the upcoming exhibit "Flash Gordon and the Heroes of the Universe" at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center on Thursday, September 13, 2012. The exhibit opens the weekend ... more

Before a human ever set foot on the moon, readied for a trip on a space shuttle, helped to launch a satellite into space or spent time at a space station, there were heroes making waves across the universe -- battling formidable foes, teaming with fearsome-looking allies and exploring worlds far beyond the Milky Way.

Accessible to the masses, these space travelers entered homes every week, and sometimes daily, bringing with them tales of derring-do and scenes of fantastic worlds.

These popular comic strips, including "Buck Rogers," which debuted in 1929, and "Flash Gordon," which began in 1934, laid the groundwork for sci-fi adventures that followed and had a significant influence on the storytellers, who have brought new tales of intergalactic adventure to screen and print.

Those looking for a visual time line of such a progression need only make a trip to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center during the next six weeks when the exhibition "Flash Gordon and The Heroes of the Universe" will be on display in the Bendel Mansion Museum Galleries. It will run through Sunday, Nov. 4.

"In any exhibit, I try to tell a story," said Wilton resident Brian Walker, a writer and cartoonist who is serving as guest curator for the show.

Around the museum space that story unfolds, with large, original comic panels from "Flash Gordon" creator, artist Alex Raymond, artwork by Al

Williamson, another celebrated "Flash Gordon" artist, and others who have put their input on the story of this enduring character, such as Austin Briggs, Bob Fujitani of Old Greenwich and Jim Keefe.

There is a corner devoted to Buck Rogers, which includes such items as a toy space gun and promotional poster. Interestingly, while the "Buck Rogers" strip started out strong, it was "Flash Gordon" that would pull ahead and have a far more enduring effect, not just on the sci-fi comic genre, but on other media as well.

It spawned several television series, the most recent being a short-lived television series on the Syfy Channel that ran from 2007-08, as well as a number of films (including a 1980 cult classic).

Throughout the gallery space, one can find toys, books, posters and figurines inspired by varied space adventure heroes spanning the last century to present time.

"Some people would call these tchotchkes, I'd call them artifacts," Walker said, as he unwrapped a toy figurine from its protective bubble wrap.

The last time Walker worked with the museum was as a guest curator in 2001 for the show "Fifty Years of Beetle Bailey." Walker, who has curated more than 70 exhibitions and written many books on cartoon history, has been around comics and artists all of his life.

The Greenwich native is part of the creative team that produces the comic strip "Beetle Bailey," and "Hi and Lois," started by his father Mort Walker, of Stamford, and originally illustrated by Dik Browne.

Walker said the current exhibit was made possible by private lenders, as well as institutions, such as The Strong's National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y. In particular, he said having pieces on loan from Williamson's widow, Cori, was crucial to the success of the exhibition.

"As for the comic art, it's really blue-chip art," Walker said, as he pointed out the rich detail and intricately wrought images in Raymond's original pen-and-ink panels.

A native of New Rochelle, N.Y., Raymond lived with his family in Stamford for a number of years before he was killed in a car accident in 1956. "Flash Gordon" was King Features answer to the popular "Buck Rogers" comic strip. During this time, Raymond also was working on "Jungle Jim," and later would create "Rip Kirby" for the syndicate.

As for Williamson's work, Walker said the artist, who died in 2010, created some amazing art during his more than 50-year career. With Walker pointing out just one of those works, a large poster featuring Flash and several other characters, it was easy to see the skill and the beauty Williamson was able to achieve.

It is Walker's hope that visitors of all ages will come to the exhibit and find joy in the vintage toys and books, as well as models and figures of more modern adventure characters, but that they also be struck by the talent and skill of the artists who brought these stories to life.

"You want it to be colorful and interesting, but you don't want to camp it up to the point that you are disrespecting the art form, which I would never do," he said. "This is really a beautiful, elegant presentation."